BattleTech: Hero of the Clans

The sequel to “Star Lord” by Donald G. Phillips

By Christopher W. Blaine
e-mail: darth_yoshi@yahoo.com
The following work of fiction uses characters and situations ©2002 by FASA
Corporation/WhizKids and are used without permission for fan related, non-profit
entertainment purposes only. This original story is ©2002 by Christopher W. Blaine and
may not be reproduced in part or as a whole without the express permission of the author.
Council Hall, Steel Viper Garrison
Jabuka
Steel Viper Occupation Zone
30 August, 3057

Dawn surveyed the assembled bloodnamed warriors of the Steel Viper Clan, momentarily
allowing a smile to creep across her face. Every single warrior, Elemental, pilot and MechWarrior, sat with
mouth agape and completely silent. The council hall was as quiet as the dead man’s head that Dawn held
out before them.
There was no mistaking the identity or at least the lineage of the severed head. The face of Stefan
Amaris the Usurper was burned into the brain of all Clan warriors from their first day of sibko training. It
was Amaris who had begun the fall of the Star League that the Successor States had finished. It was Amaris
who was personified as the Devil, the Boogey-Man and the Monster-Under-The-Bed in Clan society.
Alexandr Kerensky had orchestrated the death of Amaris prior to his leading his loyal Star League
Defense Forces out of the Inner Sphere. It was believed by both the Clans and the Inner Sphere that the
Amaris bloodline had been severed some 300 years before Dawn had entered the council hall with the head
that was tightly gripped in her hand.
Dawn’s “trophy” indicated otherwise.
“Who among you, warriors of the Steel Viper Clan, will dare to stand up now and declare me a
coward? Freebirth? Bandit?” She paused for effect and then added almost too silently for the large
chamber. “Unworthy?”
As she watched their eyes, she looked for any dissent, any challenge to her claims. There was a
cough and someone started to speak, but it was cut short by the telltale sound of fist to flesh. “Come now,”
she started again, “is this the pride of the Clans that is gathered before me? Are these the proud and mighty
warriors who had the audacity to tear my codex from my wrist and declare me less than nothing? I ask,
which of you here from Khan to solahma, have done what only the Great Kerensky has ever been able to
achieve?”
Perigard Zalman, the khan of the Steel Vipers, cleared his throat. Normally, he was given to fits of
yelling and there was always a tone of viciousness to his voice. When he spoke, however, his voice was
calm and even. “I know what it is that I see before my eyes, but what proof do you have that you have done
what you boast? Stefan Amaris was said to have no offspring.”
Dawn turned and tossed the head to the khan. Perigard caught it by reflex and dropped it
immediately. The thud seemed to echo through the chamber and Dawn noted that the khan looked at his
hands as if he would need to sever them. So vile was Amaris in the Clan psyche that Dawn could well
imagine that Perigard was thinking that the madness of that bloodline had somehow been passed to him
through contact with the corpse. “Do not treat me like a child, Perigard Zalman! I am fully aware that the
Scientist Caste in our enclave on Strana Mechty have access to the genetic blueprint of the Usurper!” She
turned back to the bloodnamed warriors and her face became serious. “Alexandr Kerensky, unlike the fools
he was required to serve after the Fall of Amaris, did not take for granted that the galaxy was safe from
Stefan’s children. In order to make sure, in the event someone was ever found that was believed to have
descended from Stefan, a copy of his DNA was taken with the Star League Defense Forces during the
Exodus.”
There were mumbles among the warriors, but many still remained transfixed on the head that lay
now at their khan’s feet. Dawn still held the moment and she needed to make it work to her advantage. She
had originally been cast out of her Clan, banished to the Inner Sphere for the charge of cowardice. Dawn
would have preferred death, and the court of the bloodnamed had known that. Being a Warden, one who
believed that the role of the Clans was to guide and protect the Inner Sphere, her personal views had gone
against the grain of the Crusader philosophy of the Steel Vipers and sealed her fate.
There were other reasons as well, too numerous for her to consider at this very moment. That she
was even standing here to be able to have such thoughts was nothing short of a miracle. In the Inner
Sphere, she had been sent to world of Galatea, a world that wanted to be like Solaris VII, the Gaming
World. Instead, it was a dark reflection, a den of thieves and degenerates that were all waiting in line for
their chance to burn in the Christian hell.
On Galatea, she had become a warrior for a gaming stable, taking no money, only that what she
needed to survive. She wanted to say that using her skills in that manner prevented her from sinking to
depths of being a mercenary, a taboo in the warrior caste, but she still felt dirty when she thought about it.
A chance encounter with some members of another stable had begun her trek towards redemption.
Cornered by the other pilots, for she refused to acknowledge them as warriors, she had fought
valiantly against them until they started to try to gain an unfair advantage by using weapons. Members of
the mercenary group that would come to be known as Duncan’s Demons happened upon the fight and
joined in. It was then that she had first met Duncan Kolmar.
Dawn did not believe in fate, nor did she acknowledge a higher presence other than the ilKhan, but
to say that the events that followed were something other than coincidence left her feeling uneasy. “And
tell us, Dawn who is no longer of the Clans,” Loremaster Stoklas said, anger dripping in his question. It
was no secret that he despised her. “How is that a coward such as you could have defeated an Amaris in
single combat? Are we to believe that you possess the fighting prowess and skill rivaling that of the Great
Kerensky?” He made to laugh, but was cut off by a stare from the khan.
“Clan or not, it makes no difference in this matter, Loremaster,” Perigard said, carefully choosing
his words. He nodded to Dawn. “We shall verify the truth of your claim, Dawn, and until such time you
will remain detained in quarters we shall establish for you. If your claim is true, then I cannot even begin to
imagine how this will affect all of the Clans. If it is false, then I fear only that I will not be wise enough to
win the bidding to kill you myself.”
Dawn bowed her head. “As you command, my khan.”
 “No,” he replied, his dark eyes smoldering. “You have no khan. You are not a Steel Viper; you
would do well to remember that.”
“My khan,” Stoklas started, “she is not even a warrior and should not be acquitted with the honor
of remaining in quarters better served for those who do not have their skills questioned.” He smiled
triumphantly, knowing that his demand would have to be met. Khan or not, Perigard would not dare to
invoke the wraith of the bloodnamed. “She can be housed with the freebirth technicians.”
Dawn laughed aloud. “At one time, I may have considered that an insult! If you desire to put me
with other worthy contributors to the Steel Vipers,” she stressed the word, indicating she saw no difference
between trueborn and freeborn, “then so be it. I tell you though that I have killed the descendant of Stefan
Amaris in honorable single combat!”
There were some excited cheers, but not nearly as many as Dawn had hoped for. Of course, what
had she really expected, walking into a Clan council meeting and tossing a bodiless head at the feet of the
khan? That even a few of the bloodnamed believed her was a miracle.
It was possible that the man she had killed had been lying, that he was as related to the Usurper as
she was, but the family resemblance was simply too close not to worth further scrutiny. She knew if she
were to be proved wrong, she would be killed, or worse, possibly sold into slavery to Inner Sphere pirates
where she had no doubt of what would become of her. Dawn had many plans and being a pirate captain’s
whore was not one of them.
“We still have business to conclude here, Dawn,” Perigard offered with a smile; she could tell that
he admired her courage for coming back, though he was waiting to see of she were truly an honorable
warrior or a madwoman looking for scraps of acknowledgement from the society that scorned her. As he
spoke, two Elementals, dressed in full battle armor approached her from behind. Even with the dull roar
that was starting to overtake the council hall as the warriors began to find their tongues, she could make out
the sound of their heavy footfalls. “This matter will be resolved. Take her to the garrison barracks. The
technician barracks specifically.”
Stoklas nodded his approval and then turned to silence the warriors as Dawn was led away.
Perigard studied her from behind with an approving eye. He saw this entire episode as nothing but a
political boost for himself. If Dawn was correct, if she had killed an Amaris, the Clan Steel Viper would be
elevated to a new status among the Crusader Clans. If she were lying, he would kill her himself and would
be a hero within his own Clan. He would have to verify the possibilities with his advisors before he made
any sudden moves.
Either way, he was confident he would profit.

In the two weeks since she had arrived back on Jabuka, Dawn had relayed her story no more than
fifteen times to everyone from the khan to the greenest recruit in the garrison. She, of course, had nothing
better to do, given her non-status within the Clan. As it stood, she was beneath even the Laborer Caste,
worth very little as she had no skills that her Clan recognized. In fact, the only thing she did was take up
space and that made her a little uncomfortable.
The Clans abhorred waste, some more than others, but there was a general consensus that
everything that was done or existed must have a purpose and not bending to the divine will of that purpose
was pointless. If you were a laborer who was skilled in painting, then you must perform your tasks using
the minimum amount of paint. As she was berthed in a technician’s barracks, she was taking a bunk meant
to hold a technician. The Steel Vipers did not see her as such and therefore, that bunk was being wasted.
After she had been berthed here, Loremaster Stoklas had argued having her sleep in the dog
kennel with the animals that worked with the security patrols. It was then that Perigard did exert his
authority as khan and silenced the Loremaster. Still, it was difficult for her to deal with the fact that she was
useless in her present state. She had even gone so far as to request to be allowed to aid the technicians in
working on the BattleMechs that the garrison employed.
The Star Colonel in charge of the cluster was a trueborn warrior who had earned his bloodname
shortly after Tukayyid. His youth and contempt for her were more than evident. He had proclaimed that
even if she had been sired by Nicholas Kerensky himself and had personally escorted every Amaris that
ever existed into the fiery pits of hell he would not let her near one of his BattleMechs. The stigma attached
to her “failure” at the great battle of Tukayyid still clung, and stung, even after all of these years.
Some of the younger warriors did not hesitate to ask her about her adventures in the Inner Sphere
as a play-mercenary with Duncan’s Demons or about the infamous battle that forced the ComStar truce on
the Clans. She spoke of Devil’s Bath and how Gamma Galaxy had suffered decimating losses in that area.
She watched their eyes grow wide in shock as she explained how whole ‘mechs would disappear into
hidden magma pools in the blink of an eye.
When she had been a Star Captain, just before the destruction of her trinary on Cumbres, she had
often spoken of Tukayyid as a warrior’s battle. It was there that man and ‘mech fought tooth and nail, PPC
and missile rack, for possession of Terra. All of the Clans had fought valiantly, but it made little difference.
Those who had not been there could not understand what it had been like.
Now that she was older and wiser, she assumed, she saw the battle in a different light. Having
spent time with honorable Inner Sphere warriors, such as the Knights of the Inner Sphere, she now
understood that very little separated the two cultures. Certainly, through the Clan genetics program, Dawn
was a superior physical specimen. But the warrior’s heart, at least to her, knew no boundaries such as those
the Clan philosophy tried to instill.
She paused in her thinking. The Warden factions of the Clans supported a philosophy of guided
fellowship with the Inner Sphere. Yes, the Clans should be in charge if only for the fact that they would not
allow the atrocities of the Succession Wars take place ever again. However, the Warden point of view did
acknowledge that the Inner Sphere was inherently good and Dawn realized that now she was no longer
flirting with the concept, she had accepted it.
 The Steel Vipers were Crusaders, conquerors of the Inner Sphere, ready to place the “misguided
and barbaric” people of the Successor States under the yoke of Kerensky’s military system of government.
It would never work and Dawn knew it. She had seen the skill of the Inner Sphere warriors up close,
especially Duncan.
The image of the reckless, headstrong and brave warrior popped into her mind and she tried to
push it away and concentrate on more important matters. It would not work, she knew, for with all of her
idle time she had done nothing but think about him and his offer for her to remain in the Inner Sphere.
They had been comrades and nothing more. He had never approached her with romantic advances
or had ever acted like anything other than a gentleman. He tried desperately to pass himself off as a rogue,
and perhaps in his younger days he had been, but a hard life on his own for several years had chiseled the
raw form he had started with into a sculpture of a true warrior.
Physically, he was attractive, but possessing of the flaws that seemed to be common among
freeborns. His skill was unquestionable and were they to meet in combat, Dawn was not sure she could
defeat him. The others who had made up Duncan’s Demons, even the Knights, she was sure she could beat,
but Duncan had raw courage, a quality that Dawn sometimes wondered if it had been bred out of her stock.
There had been a few moments when they had been alone together and more than once, she had
caught him staring at her when she was supposed to not be noticing. It had occurred to her to offer him sex
to see if that was what he wanted; it was common in the Clans for starmates to sleep with each other. It
relieved sexual tension that could lead to poor performance on the battlefield. Many times she had told
herself that she should have sex with him for the benefit of the unit. The wicked question that kept creeping
into her mind was how many times would it require to ensure maximum benefit?
She sighed and shook her head. As a warrior, she was trained to never lie. Lies were what
destroyed the Star League. Lies never did anything but caused people to waste time seeking the truth.
Therefore, though with great reluctance, she realized that she had more than just passing admiration for
Duncan.
She was falling in love.
She kicked at a footlocker, but put very little effort into it. “Is it not enough that you do not earn
your keep? Must you also destroy the property of the Clan?”
Dawn turned to see Perigard, clad in his cooling mesh, sweat pouring down his face onto his well-
muscled chest. She tipped her head slightly. “Khan Zalman, I am honored again by your presence.” She
noted that there were several other warriors outside the barracks, but refused to enter. Whether it was by the
command of the khan or simply because they did not want to inhale freebirth air, she did not know or care.
Perigard waved her false courtesy away with his hand and moved over to a drinking fountain. He
drank heavily, obviously not worried about catching “freeborn cooties” and then stood to face her. He
wiped his mouth with his arm. “You would not believe the stir you are causing, Dawn.”
She kept her face neutral. “Am I to suppose that the results of the DNA comparison have come in?
Am I to be returned to warrior status?”
 Perigard took in a deep breath. “Neg. Preliminary testing is still underway; you understand that we
must take our time in this matter.” He waited for her anticipated response and was mildly surprised when
she bit her bottom lip. Whatever had happened to her in the Inner Sphere had tempered her fire. “It is not
that we do not believe you,” he smiled at the comment for they both knew it was a great stretch of the truth,
“it is that it seems so impossible.”
“As I have explained several times, Stefan the Seventh was a bastard descendant. The Knights of
the Inner Sphere investigated the matter as best they could…”
Perigard shook his head and moved to sit down on one of the footlockers. “I care not about
investigations carried out by genetically-inferior barbarians, regardless of the esteem you hold them in.
Remember, Dawn, you are not a warrior, nor are you even a member of the Clans…yet.” He inhaled
deeply. “I have been advised that even if the head proves to be that of a descendant of the Usurper, you
have no proof that you actually were the one to kill him.”
Her composure suddenly disintegrated and the khan braced himself for the attack he expected. He
had no fear of her and his eyes betrayed no panic as she launched into a tirade about her honor. He listened,
but heard nothing new. To him, it all sounded like the same ranting that seemed to personify her character.
At one time, Dawn may have been a capable warrior, but her skills had degraded with age and her
bravery had come into question. Her failure at Cumbres had sealed her fate. Too much honor had been
sacrificed by the Clans since the horror of Tukayyid and Dawn had become the lamb to be slaughtered for
appeasement. He had agreed with her being cast out of the Clans and being sent to the Inner Sphere for it
served the good of the Clans overall.
He simply could not comprehend why she wouldn’t just take her punishment and shut up.
“Silence,” he finally said. “Clan or not, you are within the domain of the Steel Vipers and you will not
speak to me in such a manner if you value your life.”
“What life? You took my life and burned it in a pyre to save your own honor!” Her cheeks were
flushed and her eyes were watering. “Why do you continue to deny me? What else must I do to prove
myself?”
“Always you want to prove what you are not; always you want to show that you are worthy, when
you are not. Your presence fouls the air even here, Dawn.” He paused and caught himself before his temper
bested him. He spoke again through clenched teeth. “I offer you heriga…”
Dawn’s jaw dropped and she clenched and unclenched her fists in fury. The practice of heriga was
a tradition by which the opportunity for surrender was given to an opponent without the loss of honor. In
other terms, he was giving her the chance to drop the matter without consequence. “You say I am not
worthy, then you offer me honorable retreat? How dare you toy with me?”
Perigard nodded and stood up, brushing something unseen from his shoulder. “Then you intend to
stand by your claims? Fine, I can respect that, believe it or not. However, the bloodnamed want to know
more about the circumstances surrounding the death of Amaris. You will need witnesses to testify for
you…warriors only.”
 She spit on the ground. “The only warriors that can attest to my deeds are the Knights of the Inner
Sphere and the mercenaries of Duncan’s Demons.” She stuck her chin out, indicating that she did not hold
the freeborn warriors in contempt.
Perigard shrugged. “They may be barbarians, but they are still warriors and you are not. Very well,
you may have two such warriors brought here to testify on your behalf.
“If they will come.” He smiled and moved towards the door to leave. Dawn envied him because
she knew he would soon be back in the cockpit of a BattleMech. “I guess you will now see what kind of
honor your mercenary friends have, Dawn.”

“You will follow me,” the Elemental said, staring down at the two men. He dwarfed them by a
half meter and easily out massed each one by double. He was clad in a simple jumpsuit with the sleeves
bunched up over his massive biceps. “Do not attempt to stray or there could be…trouble.” He grinned and
the two men felt very uncomfortable.
“Big fella, aren’t ya?” Duncan asked. He then eyed his companion. “Think you can take him if
necessary?”
Force Captain Rod Trane of the Knights of the Inner Sphere raised an eyebrow at his friend. “I
suspect that I couldn’t annoy him very well if I had to.”
They started to walk away from the DropShip and towards a waiting hovervan with heavily tinted
windows. Two more of the brutish guards stood with automatic weapons at the ready next to it. The two
Inner Sphere warriors looked around them, hoping to get a glimpse of the famed Clan BattleMech’s but
saw that they had landed somewhere away from any civilization.
After the pace of their trip from the Free World’s League to the Steel Viper Occupation Zone, it
was refreshing to walk along on the sunshine. The entire ordeal had begun over month before when
ComStar, the quasi-religious order that handled all interplanetary communication in the Inner Sphere, had
delivered a message from the khan of the Steel Vipers to Captain-General Thomas Marik. The message, a
very short invitation to both Duncan and Rod, had been hand delivered to Marik by way of the Word of
Blake, a splinter faction of ComStar. Duncan had been surprised at the level of cooperation, considering the
scope of the schism between the two sects, so when his liege-lord began explaining the contents of the
message, he knew it had to be important.
At the time, he couldn’t imagine what it had to do with him until Marik had mentioned the name
of Dawn, and things started to fall into place. He and Rod Trane had been requested to travel to the Steel
Viper planet of Jabuka to testify in a matter concerning the warrior-prowess of their former comrade. Once
he had heard Dawn’s name, nothing short of a sovereign command from the Captain-General would have
stopped him, and even that would have been questionable.
When he had first seen Dawn, something had clicked inside of him. He first passed it off for lust,
as it had been a long, long time since he had been with a beautiful woman. When he saw how she could
handle herself and a BattleMech, his heart and his loins went into overdrive. Over the course of her time
with his Demons, he had learned that there was more to her than the physical and martial; she was also an
intellectual. In the few times they had been alone, she had opened up his mind to new philosophies and
engaged him in conversations that he thought he would only have with someone like his father.
A strong hand gripped his shoulder and Duncan winced. He looked up to see the Elemental
pushing him back onto the sidewalk. “I said not to wander off.”
“You’re lucky there’s a truce, you know that?” Duncan replied. The Elemental made a face like
warming death. Duncan remembered the warnings that Rod had drilled into him while they had taken line
of jumpships to Jabuka.
“The Clans abhor the use of contractions. The Clans hate the fact that there is a truce preventing
them from pursuing their goal of reaching Terra.” Rod had told him not ten minutes before as the DropShip
had set down. “Don’t talk about these things and hopefully we’ll do okay.”
Technically, Rod was his superior in the Knights of the Inner Sphere, seeing as that Duncan was
of a lower rank and a reservist at that. However, they had been requested to come to Jabuka as members of
Duncan’s Demons and in that capacity, Duncan was the superior. In an effort to prevent the conflict that
first defined their friendship, they were both working hard to watch out for the other. “Uh, sorry about the
poor language,” Duncan lamented.
The Elemental grunted a reply and they got to the hovervan without further delay. Inside the back,
they were seated alone while the Elemental climbed into the driver’s compartment. Duncan could not even
imagine how the controls had been set up to accommodate such a large frame.
Once they started moving, Rod spoke in a quiet tone. “All kidding aside, you better watch yourself
and remember that you are still a Knight of the Inner Sphere. You need to conduct yourself with more
decorum as we represent the entire Free World’s League. This is a unique opportunity for us as the League
did not participate in the original Clan invasion.”
Duncan nodded with a look that told he knew better and was sorry. “I guess this is all a little too
much for me, being an ambassador and everything. Hell, it hasn’t been all that long since Dawn left.” He
turned his head and looked out the window. He could just make out the shape of a BattleMech in the
distance but it was too far away to identify. “I wish she would have told us she was coming back here.”
Rod was sympathetic; he understood that Duncan had begun to develop some feelings for Dawn
just before she had left. “You offered her a permanent position with the Demons; what else was there to
do? She obviously felt the need to come home.”
He turned towards the other Knight and checked quickly to see if the Elemental was paying
attention to the road. Because the Clans valued honesty, he didn’t think that there would be listening
devices in the hovervan, but anything overheard in conversation was probably fair game. “I thought that
once you were kicked out of the Clans, that was it. Didn’t I read somewhere that they sometimes even
destroy whole Clans for dishonorable conduct? From what Dawn said, it seemed to me that they pretty
much thought she was pure garbage.”
 Rod shrugged. “Who knows? All of our information concerning the Clans comes from the Word
of Blake and while they have proven to be valuable allies to our liege-lord Thomas Marik, I would have
preferred to read some official military intelligence reports. The Clans do value honor, but as I understand
it they also value forgiveness. The fact that they made a personal request for us to come and speak in her
favor…”
“Only means that she has stirred up the pot and got their panties in an uproar,” Duncan finished. “I
don’t like it; everything we know about the Clans says they think we’re nothing but savages.”
Rod regarded the days worth of growth on Duncan’s face with a disapproving eye. “For some of
us, they aren’t far off the mark.” Duncan gave him a sarcastic smile and Rod continued as the hovervan
turned onto a road that led towards what appeared to be a military base. “Either way, we have been asked to
come and it presents a rare opportunity for us to evaluate the military bearing of one of the main Crusader
Clans. That was the only reason why the Captain-General approved this mission.”
“It would be nice if they’d let us near some of those OmniMechs. Dawn said they were the
greatest thing since sliced bread. Have you ever seen one?” Duncan asked. He suddenly put a finger up to
the window and pointed. “There! Check it out!”
Rod leaned over and saw two Mad Cats moving along the outer fence perimeter. The knight
looked around for its lancemates, or starmates as they were referred to in the Clans, but didn’t see them.
The Crusader military philosophy as it had been explained to him was that garrison ‘mechs were generally
not the best and were piloted by substandard warriors. In other words, they were much like their Inner
Sphere counterparts. “I bet they have a lot of our ‘mechs here that they salvaged.”
They drove through the gates and the two ‘mechs disappeared from their view and they saw
several Elementals in their battle armor. A snake motif, obviously the actual steel viper, was adorned on all
of their suits. They stopped talking and instead took in every detail that they could.
The hovervan finally stopped in front of a non-descript building. The two knights stepped out and
waited as the driver unloaded their bags from the storage compartment. “These are your quarters for your
stay. Warriors will be posted in order to prevent any…misunderstandings,” the Elemental said as he led
them inside. It looked like any other officer’s quarters found on any other military installation. “You are not
to leave without an escort. Understand that you may be guests, but we will not tolerate any acts of sedition,
sabotage or dishonorable conduct.”
“You have my word as a Knight of the Inner Sphere and representative of the Free World’s
League that so long as our safety is assured, we shall comply with your laws and policies,” Rod said,
ducking his head slightly. The Elemental was not impressed, as Duncan had suspected.
The Elemental left and Duncan waited until the hovervan was gone. He saw two armed men
standing outside the door. “How’d they get there so fast? Damn! I was hoping to see Dawn…”
“Curb your libido, Duncan, and get your dress uniform ready. You read the itinerary just as I did.
Dinner will be ready by 1900 hours and we need to present a good first impression to the khan.” Rod began
to unzip his bag and pulled out his vacuum-sealed dress uniform.
 Duncan moved to his bunk and rummaged through his bag, tossing out various pieces of clothing.
“You think they can get us an iron or something?” Rod grumbled and Duncan smiled. “Hey, if we’re here
to testify about Dawn’s time with Duncan’s Demons, shouldn’t we be wearing my uniforms?”
“No,” Rod answered flatly. “You’re a Knight first, Duncan, try to remember that.”

“My khan,” the master-at-arms said at the entrance to the private dining room of Khan Zalman, “I
present to you Sir Rodney Trane and Sir Duncan Kalama, Knights of the Inner Sphere.”
Perigard noted that the announcer was barely able to keep the smirk on his face from turning into
outright laughter as he announced the official titles. The two Inner Sphere warriors entered, clad in their
dinner dress uniforms. Perigard was also dressed in his best uniform, while he had provided Dawn with a
dress that was fashionable and revealing. As she still was not a warrior, she could not wear a uniform, but
there was no sense in not making her pleasing to look at.
He noted that Dawn began to blush and play with her earrings. Perigard was slightly amused, but
suddenly became annoyed as he saw that Duncan Kalama was acting the same way, except he was
fidgeting with a medal on his chest. Could there actually be something between the two of them? The
thought made him ill.
Dinner was soon served and the khan engaged both men in small talk, explaining that he preferred
a small get together. He then commented on the Council of the Bloodnamed. “All of the formalities shall be
explained to you prior to your entering the chamber.”
“Would this be similar to a deposition for a military tribunal?” Rod asked as he sipped at his wine.
He recognized the vintage as having come from the Federated Commonwealth.
“Yes; all that is expected of you is to speak the truth. However, be forewarned that you will be
cross-examined,” he smiled like a predatory animal, a true viper as far as Duncan was concerned. He soon
lost track of their conversation as his attention was instinctively drawn towards Dawn, who sat directly
across from him.
Ever since they had made eye contact, it had been difficult to not keep staring at each other. All
attempts at conversation sounded strained and Duncan understood that the artificial politeness of the room
was stifling them. All of the people in the room were warriors, more comfortable in a ‘mech than at a
dinner table. They were a room of enemies and allies, all trying to be politically correct.
“Your dress looks nice,” Duncan finally said as he toyed with some form of meat with his fork.
“Thank you. Your uniform is…clean.” She didn’t know exactly how to respond to the
compliment. She had received compliments in the past, but had never considered that they would have an
even deeper meaning.
“I suppose for me that is quite the compliment,” he replied. “Is that the standard uniform for
female warriors?” When her face suddenly went pale, he realized that he had said the wrong thing.
 Luckily, Perigard interrupted him before he could do any further damage. “I see you admire my
taste in clothing,” he said as he wiped his mouth. “Dawn, however, is not a warrior by our standards. That
is the reason why you are here.”
“Pardon my ignorance, Khan Zalman,” Rod began, using the diplomatic tone he was more familiar
with, “but why is it that we two are the ones who must testify as to Dawn’s abilities and exploits? I was
lead to believe that all Clan warriors maintain very exacting military records that they carry with them at all
times.”
“Your knowledge is correct for those that are Clan warriors; however, Dawn was abjured from the
Steel Vipers and her codex…her military record…was destroyed during the process. As it stands, she did
not exist before she returned.”
“Bringing the head of Stefan the Seventh,” Duncan smiled shaking his head. “My father’s agents
were curious what happened to the head. I never even considered that you might have taken it.”
“I would have preferred to bring the villain here alive, but I was sure he would object,” she said.
She laughed lightly and Duncan finally noticed that her hair was different than when she had been with the
Demons. Most MechWarriors wore a hairstyle that was very short, especially around the temples. The
neurohelmets used in the piloting of BattleMechs required close contact with the skin so hair was
discouraged. As Dawn had probably not piloted a ‘mech in the months since he had last seen her, it
appeared that she was letting her hair was growing out.
He would have thought that in keeping with the Steel Viper warrior tradition she would have kept
her hair cut short as she always had, but then it suddenly dawned on him that the hairstyle and manner of
dress were indicative of something else. Dawn was being treated respectfully, but was nothing more than
an Inner Sphere oddity. She had truly been ostracized by her culture.
And now he and Rod were given the task of convincing them to take her back. He looked towards
the khan and thought for a moment that he saw a knowing look in the Clan warrior’s eye. Was the entire
purpose of having them come here was because he some indication of Duncan’s feelings for Dawn,
personally and professionally? Or was it something else?

The council hall had been transformed and Dawn was greatly impressed for it was no small task.
An audience chamber large enough to hold all of the bloodnamed of the Steel Vipers was no easy thing to
redecorate, but the Wolf Clan artisans had managed to do so in two short days.
Dawn sat in the front row of folding chairs that had been hastily put up in several rows before a
makeshift stage. On her right was Duncan, who was simply in awe of the performance being put on for the
benefit of, so it was said, the two Inner Sphere warriors. She had a hard time swallowing that particular
notion, considering the disdain that her Clan had for anything related to what they saw as the Star League
corrupted.
Rod Trane was just as entranced as the Wolf laborers, members of the actor sub-caste and dressed
in uniforms that were recognizable as pre-Exodus Star League Defense Force, performed for their benefit.
There were two men on the stage, singing in operatic form. The language was Russian and Dawn briefly
wondered if either man could understand it. The mother language of Alexandr Kerensky was as hallowed
as the man himself within the Clans; many of the common phrases and words in so-called “Clan-speak”
were derived from that Terran language.
The particular opera being played out was entitled simply “Humility” and it was becoming very
popular, or at least the Wolf version was, among many Clans of late. The Steel Vipers had little use for the
artisan sub-caste despite the fact that many warriors enjoyed these operas and various plays that espoused
the warrior values.
Dawn had thought it slightly odd, however, that the khan would schedule a production of this
particular performance instead of something more martial if he were out to impress upon the Inner Sphere
visitors the strength of the Steel Viper’s convictions to the Crusader cause. The Wolves were notoriously
Warden in their views and that was reflected in their artistic endeavors.
Perhaps Perigard was simply becoming sentimental in his old age she thought with a wry grin.

Duncan was totally engrossed in the performance, thrilled and humbled at the same time as he
realized that he and Rod were probably the first people from the Inner Sphere to have ever seen anything
like this. In the FWL where he had been raised, operatic theater was actually quite common, but he and his
father had avoided it for at least the better part of Duncan’s life.
He tossed a quick glance at Rod and could tell immediately that his friend was quite at home. No
doubt the Knight attended several performances of Wagner, of particular interest to Thomas Marik, each
year. Now that he was a Knight, albeit a reserve one, Duncan assumed he would have to attend such events
as well from now on.
If they were anything like this, he thought, he was going to be enjoying himself.
He knew the basic story of the Clans as did anyone else who hadn’t been living under a rock for
the past couple of years. They were the descendants of the Star League Defense Forces that had left the
Inner Sphere 300 years before and were now a society based upon the military teachings of Alexandr and
Nicholas Kerensky.
Alexandr Kerensky had been the greatest tactical mind in human history, a fact acknowledged by
both Clan and Inner Sphere militaries. Kerensky had liberated Terra from Stefan Amaris and tried to reform
the Star League by uniting the various Houses.. The House Lords, however, battled for control of the throne
and discharged Kerensky from his duties, seeing him as a political rival.
The opera, which fortunately had an electronic translator board running for the benefit of those
who could not speak Russian (which Duncan was sure that only included him), was about the removal of
Kerensky from his military post and his decision to lead the Exodus. The current act had General Kerensky,
played by a much too young actor, discussing his current situation with his best friend, General Aaron
DeChevilier.
 “General, my General,” DeChevilier sang, one arm outstretched to the other man. “They have
stripped you of your honor! Your honor is stained by the foulness of the Successor Lords!”
Kerensky turned to the audience and spread his arms wide. “It is not my honor that is stained,
loyal and true friend, but only theirs! My honor is the honor of the brave soldiers who fought to save the
Star League and that cannot be taken away by petty men!”
All of the Clan warriors in the audience said in unison “Seyla” and Duncan felt as if he were
sitting in the middle of Sunday Catholic Mass.
DeChevilier walked up and put a hand on Kerensky’s shoulder. “Did we not fight to secure the
Star League to protect the Inner Sphere? We cannot stand by as vile men battle for the chance to bring evil
about! The people need a leader born of fire and blood!”
“What would you have me become, Aaron DeChevilier?” Kerensky asked, his voice rising in
pitch. “The Star League needs a First Lord, not a soldier pretending to be one! I served the Cameron’s and
the Star League; my destiny is not to rule, but to serve.”
“The people need a leader who is just! The people need a leader of sound mind! The people need a
leader who is free from corruption!”
Kerensky simply smiled and walked over to a map of the Inner Sphere, circa 300 years before, and
stood there with his hand rubbing his chin. “The people are lost, the cancer of Amaris runs through them.
Our fellow soldiers appear are about to be besieged upon by the House Lords to be used as cannon fodder
in their wars for succession.”
“You can rule!”
“I will not!” Kerensky replied.
“You must rule!”
“I must not!” the general bellowed. He turned and pointed a finger at his friend. “Pride must never
come before honor! To take the throne would be prideful and make me no better than the House Lords who
removed me!”
“It would be just!”
“It would be unjust!”
This time it was DeChevilier that turned to the audience. “It would bring justice!”
“It would be an injustice to those who fought to restore the Star League!” Kerensky turned back to
map on the wall. “Even of I wanted the throne; even if I thought I could rule and bring about the Star
League, I would be putting my own interests ahead of those who have served.”
Again the Clan warriors chanted the word “Seyla”; all of them accept Dawn who was busy
pondering the meaning of the words. She had seen this particular reenactment once before and she had to
admit that the Smoke Jaguar was a bit more crude and seemed to have more insults in the language towards
the House Lords.
Kerensky began to sing about going “out there” and Dawn’s attention began to drift away as she
considered her own quest and the consequences of it.
 The moon was high in the night sky and Duncan adjusted his collar, feeling it was far too tight.
Nothing he did relieved the closeness and he began to sweat as he slowly approached Dawn from behind.
Rod and the khan were still engaged in hypothetical discussions about everything from military tactics to
the values of chivalry. There was every indication that the khan found the idea of the Knights of the Inner
Sphere intriguing and Rod, of course, was very interested in finding out more about the Clans.
This had provided an opportunity for Dawn to slip out onto the back patio, which overlooked a
parade field. There were guards moving here and there, reminding Duncan that despite the relative
peacefulness of the night, this was occupied territory. In a few short years, the ComStar truce would be up
and the Clans would begin their march towards Terra. From there, he had no doubt that they would radiate
out to try and dominate the Inner Sphere.
In the initial invasion, the Clans had taken territory away from several of the larger Successor
States and Duncan could only imagine how quickly they would overrun the Free World’s League when
they got started. His worries were split between concern for his homeland and concern that if he and Rod
were successful tomorrow, he may end fighting against Dawn.
“I was hoping that we would have some time alone,” Duncan announced as he he slid in next to
her. “We really never got to say good-bye.”
“I said I might return one day,” she offered, but not turning towards him. “If my manner of exit
offended you, I apologize.”
He shook his head. “No…I didn’t mean that! I meant that I really wanted to spend some more time
with you… try to convince you not to come back here.”
“You wouldn’t understand…”
He stopped himself from putting his hand on her shoulder. Despite the dress and hairstyle, he
knew that she would rip it off of him if she took offense. “Maybe a few years ago you would be right, but
our little adventure made me grow up a lot. I learned that there are more important things in life than just
having fun and doing what you want. Both you and Rod and the rest of the Demons showed me the value
of honor.
“I just don’t understand why you value the honor bestowed by a people that loathe you.”
She turned and he saw that her eyes were watering. “I want them to know that they were wrong
about me. My sibko is gone. I will never be nominated for a bloodname. My DNA will die with me. It is
not right.
“I fought hard for my Clan before, during and after Tukayyid. I did all that I was told, followed
orders without question and I survived. I am a testament to the greatness of Steel Viper warrior training.
Yet, they branded me a coward and tossed me away like I was rubbish.” She wiped away a tear before it
could roll down her cheek. “Through you and the Demons, I discovered that honor is in the heart. My entire
life, I was taught that the Inner Sphere was full of honorless, brainless freebirth barbarians…”
Duncan took on a face of hurt. “I’m not completely brainless!”
 She laughed despite herself and it broke the tension. She looked at him and realized that it was
only with the Demons that she had truly been happy. Since graduating her sibko, she had been fighting for
the honor of Clan Steel Viper, but had not been pursuing a true goal. Tukayyid had been goal not achieved.
The defeat of Stefan the Seventh had been an adventure worthy of the heroes of ancient Terra. “Perhaps
you are not.”
“Were you going to?” he asked, his voice soft.
She cocked her head. “What?”
He looked into her eyes. “Were you really going to come back?”
She bit her bottom lip and turned away. She made the pretense of examining one of the Elementals
marching down on the parade field. “I will be named a Hero of the Clans. My name will be entered into the
Remembrance for all generations of Steel Viper warriors to read about.”
“That doesn’t answer my question, Dawn. Look, I would be lying if I said that I would have
pursued you if you hadn’t returned. I think we can both agree that my coming here is something of a lucky
shot, a once in a lifetime opportunity. I’ve got a second chance at doing something.”
She turned back to him and he reached out for her hand, which she offered without protest. He
pulled her in close and they hesitated for only a moment before their lips locked in a passionate embrace.

“State your name and affiliation for the record, please,” Loremaster Stoklas asked Rod. The Clan
warrior was doing his best to remain civil to the Knight, but his scowl betrayed his true thoughts about the
Inner Sphere warrior.
“I am Force Captain Rodney Trane of the Knights of the Inner Sphere under the command of
Captain-General Thomas Marik of the Free World’s League.”
Stoklas nodded. “And this is an Inner Sphere state, correct?”
“Yes.”
Stoklas turned and eyed the assembled warriors of the Steel Vipers. Many of them were clad in the
official robes that council members were expected to wear, but some were still in fatigues having come
immediately from the training fields for this council meeting. “Then, for the record, it is safe to assume that
you are a freeborn warrior?”
“If the question refers to my parentage, then I am proud to state that I was born naturally and both
of my parents still reside in the Free World’s League.” There were murmurs from the warriors and Stoklas
smiled.
By the time he turned back, his face was neutral. From his spot outside the council hall, Duncan
could hear the questioning continue. Rod was holding up quite well, but then he had expected him to. He
had guessed that the tough questions would really be reserved for him as Rod was not in charge of the
mission that resulted in the death of Amaris. He was slightly disturbed by the questions about parentage,
however.
 Duncan’s father was involved in the intelligence services, so besides being a freebirth, he was
from a family of spies and the Clans abhorred such things. Behind him stood Dawn, now dressed in a pair
of fatigues. They had spent the night together and each was now on edge, wondering what the other was
thinking. “Can’t we just hop in some ‘mechs and fight it out?” he asked.
She laughed. “You have the heart of a Steel Viper, Duncan. Certainly all of the warriors
assembled would prefer that we would settle this in such a manner.”
He turned around to her and reached for her hand. “Are you sure that you want us to go through
with this?”
“This is merely a formality to attest that I was the one who defeated Amaris. You did not actually
witness what happened, but you and Rod can verify most of my story,” she said, taking his offered hand
and peering past him into the council chamber proper. “I am confident that it shall be enough to win me the
votes I require. All of this is only to verify that I am not taking credit for another’s work.”
“Would it be too much to ask for a moment of your time?” a voice asked from behind them.
Duncan and Dawn separated immediately and turned to the voice. “SaKhan Andrews,” Dawn said,
her voice lowering. Duncan recognized the tone and understood that she did not like this man at all.
The junior khan looked at Duncan and did not even attempt to hide the contempt in his glare.
Dawn had warned him that while Zalman was starting to warm to the idea of freeborn warriors, Andrews
was a staunch supporter of trueborn superiority. To see Dawn and Duncan so intimate probably made him
so angry he would have screamed if it weren’t for where they were. “If you would excuse us?” he asked
Duncan.
Dawn indicated it was fine with her eyes and Duncan wandered off out of earshot. Satisfied they
were somewhat alone, Andrews cleared his throat and started speaking. “I assume that you and your
freebirth lover are happy?”
“Whom I choose to sleep with Brett Andrews is my business. After all, I am not a Steel Viper
warrior,” she added with a smirk.
“Let us not quibble over semantics; I am not Perigard or Stoklas. I know well enough who you are
and where you come from. I also know that all of this is some way to gain revenge upon our political
system.”
Dawn was silent and Andrews continued. “We have received confirmation of the DNA and the
man was truly a descendant of the Usurper. After your lover speaks, Perigard will announce the results
before the council. I have no doubt, that despite our best efforts, the bloodnamed shall vote to reinstate you
to warrior status and proclaim you a Hero of the Clans.”
He eyed her with an almost snake-like glare. “That is if you really want that.”
“I was unfairly treated for something that was beyond my control. I was wronged and soon it will
be righted.” She smiled as she realized that so many things were going right for her. Revenge was indeed
sweet.
 “I have consulted several experts in Clan law, for you understand that an event of this nature will
have to be reported to the Grand Council,” Andrews said as he started to pace. The Grand Council was
made up of the senior and junior khans of all of the Clans and dictated overall policy for the Clans. “Do
you realize that if you are accepted back into the Steel Vipers, you will bring about the end of the Clans?”
Dawn nearly choked at the statement. “Are you insane? Because I simply show that you were
wrong?”
He stopped. “Yes. The council made a decision and you lost a Trial of Refusal. Since the time of
Nicholas Kerensky, the decisions of the councils have stood as the absolute rule of law for the Clans. Never
has that been brought into question until now. Do you not realize that you will be the catalyst for protest
upon protest upon protest? Everyone from the laborer to the warrior caste will contest everything from
caste placement to sibko out-testing!”
Dawn’s tone turned angry. “Perhaps that is the way it should be, quiaff? Wrong is wrong, is it not?
If we do not proclaim the truth, then we are lying!”
“Not if the truth is irrelevant, and this truth is! I believe you when you say you killed Stefan the
Seventh, Dawn. It alone proves your superior breeding and I confess that I am more than impressed by your
actions. You are a warrior that I can only hope to be.”
Dawn could not believe the confession that Andrews was making. His reputation as a hard-nosed
Crusader did not leave him to be considered humble, but here he was voluntarily humiliating himself in
front of her. A small part of her wanted to gloat, but she was mostly saddened by what she was hearing.
“Neg, saKhan; I am simply a warrior, nothing more…nothing less.”
“That I can see, now, and I personally am sorry about how you were treated. Perhaps politics have
played out too much in our quest to pursue Kerensky’s dream. However, if you go through with this, you
can see the eventual problems.”
Dawn inhaled and considered everything. She was on the verge of total victory over her
oppressors, those who sought to keep her down, using her as a scapegoat for the failure of the Clan to win
at Tukayyid. Her intent had been to erase the stigma of dishonor that had been placed upon her and now she
was being told her actions could bring down the very culture she wanted to return to.
“I do not know…” she started.
Andrews stared hard at her. “Take a few minutes to discuss it with your lover, as I can see you
value his opinion more than that of a worthy warrior.”

“Won’t they get a little pissed off when I’m not there to speak?” Duncan asked as they walked
between rows upon rows of OmniMechs. Any other time, Duncan would have been all over the massive
machines, trying to find a way to break into a cockpit.
“They will question Rod for a very long time; he is experienced in political battlefields and
Stoklas will spend much time trying get him to make a mistake. Besides, if you keep using contractions like
that, you will upset them no matter what.” Dawn stopped in front of a large, humanoid machine with arms
that ended in weapons pods. “This is a Crossbow, the last ‘mech I piloted as a true warrior.”
Duncan looked the machine over and saw it was badly in need of a paint job. He could make out a
symbol painted on the left leg; it appeared to be a green bird carrying a sword. He had heard that the Jade
Falcons and the Steel Vipers were biting at each other’s heels and this must have been isorla, or the spoils
of war. “It’s a nice one, but the ‘mech doesn’t make the warrior. You keep living in the past, Dawn, just
like the rest of them and I can tell it rubs you the wrong way. Yes, you are a great warrior, but face it, you
suck as a Steel Viper.”
“Such eloquence, you really must charm the ladies of Marik’s court with your tongue,” she replied
sarcastically. She smiled to alleviate his fears. “I never was the Viper I wanted to be, always thought I
would be a better Wolf.” She sighed. “I have to ask you something and I want you to answer truthfully.” He
indicated that he would and she pulled him into the shadow of the BattleMech and whispered into his ear.

“Now, Mercenary Captain Duncan Kalama,” Stoklas said, venom dripping with each word. The
Clans abhorred mercenaries. “Would you please describe the events that you witnessed in the case of the
death of Stefan Amaris the Seventh.”
Duncan gave his best cocksure look and leaned back. His top two buttons were undone and he had
a large medallion hanging around his neck. He thought about putting his feet up, just to get a rise out of the
warriors who were looking at him like he was pure filth. Though he couldn’t see him, he was sure Rod was
having a coronary. “Well, it’s like this: we were trying to steal some of the ‘mechs that Amaris had
accumulated when…”
Stoklas whirled. “Excuse me? Force Captain Trane indicated that you were actually engaged in an
undercover mission to infiltrate Amaris’ forces.”
“Yeah, Rod looks at things in a different light, if you know what I mean. He’s a damn Knight of
the Inner Sphere and thinks that he has to maintain a certain image.”
“Are you not also a reserve officer in the Knights?”
“Not exactly…”

“So, you lied your ass off and made me look like a damn fool!” Rod screamed. He pounded his
fist on his bunk. “We have to leave immediately because they don’t know which one of us to trust!”
Duncan shrugged. “Do you really care what a bunch of freaking Clanners think? We got a look
around, you got to see Clan politics up close, hell, I even got to see some OmniMechs. I’d consider it a
complete success.”
Rod smiled at his friend, unable to keep a straight face. He had also found the Steel Vipers
insufferable and the looks on their faces after Duncan’s testimony would cause much laughter in Thomas
Marik’s court. “I suppose if you look at it that way, you’re right. Do you know what’s going to happen to
Dawn now?”
 “Well, when I left the council chamber amid the cries for my immediate execution from one
faction and shouts for my adoption from another, I saw two Elementals escorting her away to meet with the
khans.” He zipped up his bag and heaved it onto his shoulder. “She’ll be okay, trust me.”
“I’m not exactly worried about it,” Rod replied as he finished his packing. “Dawn is your
problem; getting we two Knights back to the Captain-General is mine.” He walked over to the window and
peered out. “Our escort is here; I’ll wager our journey back home will take far longer than it took to get
here.”
“Uh, about that…” Duncan said sheepishly. “I won’t be heading back immediately. I can’t tell you
where I’m going.”
“Really? Now that the testimony is over with, I believe I’m the senior officer here and you, Sir
Duncan, are not to leave my sight.” Rod put his hands on his hips. “Thomas Marik expects us back on
Atreus and that is where we are going.”
Duncan rolled his eyes. “As if you could stop me. Believe me, Thomas will get his report and
much more if things go right.”
The door opened before the senior Knight could reply and their Elemental driver stood in the
doorway. “Freebirths! Let us be on our way so that your taint is removed from hallowed Steel Viper
ground!”
“Seems like you made us a lot of friends,” Rod said to Duncan, who shrugged.

Perigard Zalman regarded the warrior (that was the proper term) that sat before him. His gamble
had paid off finally and now he was ready to end this once and for all. At first, he had been content to allow
everything to run its course and see if he could use it to his advantage.
That had changed after several heated discussions with Brett Andrews who had looked a little
further into the entire matter and pointed out the potential problems. At best, it would taint the ability of the
Steel Vipers to make decisions and at worst it really could have meant the destruction of Clan society.
Either way, Perigard Zalman’s name would be attached to it and he could very well find himself being
ejected into the Inner Sphere!
He had tried to end it quickly by offering heriga, but Dawn had been too proud to accept that. His
advisors had hinted that they felt Dawn had developed true feelings for the freebirth warrior Duncan and
that maybe he could convince her to drop her claim. He had turned out to be an honorable man who would
do what Dawn wanted to ensure her happiness.
Finally, it took an impassioned plea from Andrews himself to convince her to halt her protest and
once again bring order to the Clan. Clan unity, above everything else, was more important than the honor of
a single warrior. Dawn was being asked to make the same sacrifice that Alexandr Kerensky had decided to
make, to put aside personal honor in favor of the greater good. There was no doubting that Dawn had been
wronged and Perigard was going to rectify the situation.
 “I will not bore you with telling you how appreciative I am of the course of action you have
decided upon, Dawn. You have shown true dedication to Kerensky’s vision by ensuring that the Clans
continue on. Our martial society shall survive.” He sat back in his chair and steepled his fingers. Next to
him sat Brett Andrews, while Loremaster Stoklas stood as guard at the door. The meeting would officially
never exist.
“My honor is restored; that is all I wanted to begin with,” she replied. “Now, let us discuss
my…ransom.” It was within the power of the senior khan of any Clan to grant to any member who showed
exceptional ability a gift, which was referred to as a ransom. The gift could be anything from a medal to a
command posting.
Perigard leaned forward, putting his elbows on his desk. “We will provide you with transport to
anywhere you want in the Inner Sphere, plus a new OmniMech…any one that you want.”
“I want two, one for me and one for my lover. He was instrumental in my dropping my claim,”
she replied. Because she had simply stopped the process and not lied, she had not caused any hint of
dishonor. The fact that Duncan had lied meant nothing since the Steel Vipers did not consider him truly a
warrior. A skilled combatant perhaps, maybe even a worthy adversary, but never a warrior as defined by
the Clans. That they had even agreed to listen to her two Inner Sphere friends still amazed her.
Perhaps it was that glimmer of hope for her Clan that she had longed to see.
“Pfah!” Andrews exclaimed. “You can not expect us to give one of them one of our ‘mechs…”
Dawn raised an eyebrow. “I am giving up my rightful place in our history and you complain about
trivial matters.” She turned back to the khan. “I want a Crossbow for myself and a Timber Wolf for Duncan,
plus transport for the both of us to the Free World’s League.”
“Anything else?” Perigard asked.
Dawn stood up. “No. I will take my leave of you now, gentlemen.”
As she turned to the door, the two khans stood up. Perigard cleared his throat. “I speak for all of
the Steel Vipers when I state that I hope to never meet you in combat.”
Dawn stopped and smiled. She threw back her lengthening blond hair. “It is unfortunate that I do
not share the same dream. Unfortunate for you.” With that, she brushed by the ever silent but fuming
Stoklas and put the Clans behind her forever.

Duncan and Dawn slowly walked hand in hand along a path on the Kalama Estate. They had taken
the long way back from Jabuka, skirting along the Federated Commonwealth so he could show her some of
the sights of the Inner Sphere. Their BattleMechs had been shipped ahead of them and were even now
being painted in the crimson colors of the Knights of the Inner Sphere.
During the trip, they had begun to discover each other on even more levels than before. Dawn still
believed that most of the Successor States would benefit from being ruled by the Clans, but she was
satisfied with the way that Thomas Marik provided leadership and she had petitioned for citizenship as
soon as they had arrived.
 “And could I also interest you in a position in my Knights? Perhaps as a reservist like young
Duncan here?” Thomas had asked.
Dawn had considered her answer for a moment. “I would be honored, providing one condition can
be met.”
The Captain-General waved for her to continue. “If it is within my power, I would certainly
consider granting your request.”
Duncan turned to her and pulled on her hand, drawing her out of her memories. “You know, when
I was offered my reserve commission, I didn’t try to bargain with Thomas.”
She shrugged and stopped to look at some flowers. “Bargaining is a part of Clan culture. Maybe I
have decided to leave the Steel Vipers behind, but I still believe in Kerensky’s vision of a new Star League.
I truly believe that the Clans can set the example for the Inner Sphere to follow.”
“I think you should have consulted with me first, just like with getting me an OmniMech.” He put
an arm around her and they laughed.
“As I have no parents, I felt it would be proper to have the Steel Vipers provide my dowry.” She
placed her left hand in front of them and they admired the large diamond ring and the thick gold band with
it. “It is very pretty, Duncan; are you sure it is appropriate for a warrior to wear such a thing?”
“You practically drag me in front of Thomas to get married…”
“You did not protest; I assumed that you would be pleased.” There was a hurt tone to her voice.
“Oh, I’m more than happy, baby; I just never expected a woman from the Clans to want to get
married.” He scratched his head as he considered his recent good fortune. His father had even been happy
about the entire turn of events.
“Marriage was common among the original members of Exodus Fleet, and love, while
discouraged within the warrior caste, was not forbidden. Marriage between trueborn and freeborn…that is
something else entirely.” They started walking again, embracing each other tightly. “I only hope that I
prove worthwhile in this venture.”
“Well, considering your age…” Duncan started to say.
Dawn reacted immediately, breaking their embrace and grabbing him by the upper arm. He gave a
yelp as she swung him around and tossed him into the grass next to the path. “Perhaps you would like to
meet me in a Circle of Equals so that I can prove that with experience and age comes perfection.”
Duncan rolled onto his back and propped himself onto his arms. “Do you really have to beat me
up? And what about youth and vigor?”
Dawn jumped on top of him and pushed him down before giving him a long kiss. They then
locked into a passionate embrace that did not break for many hours.